30th Sep 2024 (1 year ago)
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND NOT SELLING A BUSINESS through them. They are dis-honest crooks using their small print to screw people. It's very clear from what they say and how they say it- that they do this to people all the time. During the dispute, every email comes back with a copy of the contract - with a cocky tone reinforcing their position, Whilst avoiding answering questions.
Also, value your business yourself. They paint business of a similar nature with the same brush, without any regard for its added value. Like selling a car with lots of extras, low mileage and only 1 owner, for the same price as a car in much worse condition but with the same year of registration.
They value it for a quick sale, but if your business is like mine, you can't build it for the price they want to sell it for - so where is the reward for goodwill?
Take my advice and Market the business yourself, you will not regret it. I received a lot of solid leads from my adverts and Gilbert & Rose hadn't even arranged 1 solid lead in the same time period.
You will be faced with some time wasters, but it's nothing a 5min call with them won't flag up, especially before wasting time on in-person meetings.
If you sign up to any agency, make sure you pay the multi-agency fee in advance, and get a lawyer to read the contract. DON'T Risk sole agency, and don't believe them if they tell you that you can switch. That's what Gilbert & Rose have done to me. Pushed me into signing quickly, and assuring me I could switch. They then sat back and did nothing, and when i got pro-active, they want a piece of the cake.
After notifying them I found someone thats shown interest - they notified me that if the deal goes through, they want their FULL commission, (for doing nothing!), even when I could prove without doubt that the lead could never have been generated from their advert.
I'm now forced not to do a deal and I have to wait for them to find a buyer in 3 months, which will be a miracle if it happens, or wait for their contract to expire and re-market myself at an additional cost.
Read online reviews and blogs about using business agents, they are not regulated and there are numerous complaints on how they have screwed over hard working people.... Read more